Oakland Raiders notebook: Charles Woodson expects different mentality

NAPA -- Charles Woodson, reporting for his 17th NFL training camp, can feel the difference from a year ago.

"We're not looking to build for next year," Woodson said Wednesday after arriving at the Napa Valley Marriott. "We're looking to win now. I look forward to going in this week and getting started and work toward the ultimate goal."

The Raiders will have physicals and meetings Thursday and practice for the first time Friday. With no two-a-day practices for the second year under the collective bargaining agreement, there will be morning walk-throughs each day with practices starting at 3 p.m. and limited to 2 hours and 40 minutes.

The addition of veteran players in free agency such as defensive ends Justin Tuck and LaMarr Woodley, wide receiver James Jones, running back Maurice Jones-Drew and linemen Donald Penn and Austin Howard has added potential starters and given the Raiders improved depth.

Arriving by trade is quarterback Matt Schaub, hopefully stabilizing a situation that has been in flux since Rich Gannon retired.

Coach Dennis Allen has emphasized competition, and punter Marquette King said job security will be more of a concern than in his previous two seasons.

"It's a big difference than when I first came," King said. "Everybody's mindset is, 'OK, they're trying to bring somebody in who's better than me, so I need to step my game up and work harder.' "

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Players trickled in during the course of the day, veterans on their own and most rookies and undrafted free agents arriving in two busloads from the club facility in Alameda.

Woodson believes the moves made by general manager Reggie McKenzie will improve the Raiders from 4-12 to a playoff contender.

"As I look at the way it was built, solidifying the interior of the offensive and defensive line, bringing in a veteran quarterback, running backs like Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew, plus guys who can rush on the defensive side, there's no reason we can't win a lot of games," Woodson said. "I'm looking forward to building with the guys, getting better and making our run."

Second-round draft pick Derek Carr out of Fresno State has attended NFL training camps before when his older brother David was the quarterback for the Houston Texans.

"I remember them reporting for camp and all those things," Carr said. "I think I like it being on this side of things now a lot more than just standing around and watching. As a little kid, I couldn't wait for this day to come. Now it's here, and I know how much hard work I have to put in."

King said he has been working on his holding as well as directional punting during the offseason and both areas will be improved.

Any difficulties King had as the holder for Sebastian Janikowski last season have been forgotten.

"I have a bad memory," King said.

First-round draft pick Khalil Mack, projected as an instant starter at strong side linebacker and as a pass rusher in the nickel defense, is at ease with the burden of expectations.

"I'll come out here and work hard every day," Mack said. "I've got some of the best guys to look up to from the veteran aspect, and I look forward to learning from them and getting better as a player, better as a person."

Woodson said it was important second-year cornerback DJ Hayden gets plenty of work during camp. Hayden missed eight games after sports hernia surgery last season and didn't participate in the mandatory minicamp because of an ankle injury.

Hayden's status going into camp is not known.

"Looking at film and studying plays is only going to take you so far," Woodson said. "You need to be out on the field. If you're not out there proving what you can do, how do you ever get back in the lineup?"